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Microfluidics is the engineering or use of devices that apply fluid flow to channels smaller than 1 millimetre in at least one dimension. Microfluidic devices can reduce reagent consumption, allow well controlled mixing and particle manipulation, integrate and automate multiple assays (known as lab-on-a-chip), and facilitate imaging and tracking.
Human cervical mucosa and its interactions with the microbiome play a central role in female reproductive tract health and disease. Here, the authors develop physiological models of the human cervix using Organ-on-a-Chip technology that produce mucus, and respond to hormonal, environmental, and microbial cues similar to the living cervix.
Yushen Zhang and colleagues report an open source, interactive software platform for the efficient and convenient design of 3D printable microfluidic devices. The approach incorporates a design-for-manufacturing function, facilitating device fabrication using commercial consumer-grade printers.
Tuberculosis is a major global health threat. Here, the authors develop a single-cell drug discovery approach and identify a compound that tunes bacterial phenotypic variation. This enhances the activity of anti-tubercular drugs against the pathogen.
An aptamer-based nanobiosensor has been integrated into a wearable sweat sensor, allowing non-invasive tracking of the female reproductive hormone, oestradiol, with the potential to deliver sustainable solutions to female reproductive healthcare needs.
Human-based in vitro models, such as organoids and organs-on-chips, may have the potential to replace certain animal models in preclinical research. But how much ‘human’ is needed in these models?
An article in Nature Nanotechnology reports a nanopore-based single-molecule sensing method that allows control over the translocation speed of the measured molecule.